East Village cocktail bar and lounge with a private back room, two bars, and space for up to 300
Description
Waiting On A Friend: Stylish nightlife Bar in the East Village
Discover Waiting On A Friend, a vibrant hotspot and versatile bar and lounge located in the heart of NYC's East Village. With a stylish, modern interior, expertly crafted cocktails, and a dynamic atmosphere, this 2,000-square-foot venue offers the perfect setting for fun nightlife and memorable private gatherings.
Flexible Layout for Any Size Party:
Waiting On A Friend is thoughtfully divided into three distinct sections and features two fully stocked bars, providing exceptional flexibility for events. The spacious lounge areas and room to dance can be configured to perfectly suit your needs, whether you're planning:
- An intimate 50-person birthday party
- A lively 100-person corporate happy hour
- A dynamic 200-person daytime networking event
Elevated Bar Bites & Craft Cocktails:
Elevate your event with a creative menu of delicious small plates and drinks. Waiting On A Friend is known for its:
- Expertly Crafted Cocktails and a popular Raw Bar Happy Hour.
- Elevated Bar Snacks Menu featuring savory charcuterie boards, luxurious caviar egg sandwiches, refreshing crudos, and hearty skewers.
Host Your East Village Event:
With its perfect blend of style, space, and service, Waiting On A Friend is ideal for:
- Birthday Parties & Celebrations
- Corporate Happy Hours & Networking Events
- Social Mixers & Get-Togethers
- Product Launches & Brand Events
Choose Waiting On A Friend for its prime East Village location, its highly flexible layout accommodating groups from 50 to 200, its two bars ensuring excellent service, stylish modern decor, and a unique, elevated food and cocktail menu.
Getting to Waiting On A Friend:
Location: 206 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
Cross Streets: Located on Avenue A between East 12th Street and East 13th Street.
Nearest Subway Station:
1st Ave Station (L train): The closest station, just a short walk away.
Astor Place Station (6 train): Walkable distance west.
Bus Routes: Accessible via the M14A, M9 (on Avenue C) and M8 (on 8th/9th St).
Nearest Famous Landmark: Situated in the Alphabet City section of the East Village, just steps from the historic Tompkins Square Park.
Planning an Event Here
Waiting On A Friend offers a range of booking options across its 2,000-square-foot East Village space: semi-private reservations in the Front Banquet or Living Room, a fully private Backroom with its own bar and patio access, combined-room configurations for up to 200 guests, and full venue buyouts for up to 300 standing. Two fully stocked bars and A/V capabilities support both social and corporate formats.
Vibe
Stylish, lively, and modern — a relaxed, conversation-friendly cocktail lounge in the early evening that transitions into a vibrant dance spot under a disco ball late at night.
Space Layout
Three distinct sections: the Front Banquet area near the main bar, the Living Room lounge in the middle, and a Private Backroom at the rear with its own fully stocked bar and direct access to a secluded private back patio. Sections can be booked separately, combined (Backroom plus Living Room), or as a full buyout.
Private Events
Options range from semi-private lounge reservations to full venue buyouts for groups of roughly 15 to 300. The Private Backroom includes exclusive access to a secondary bar and the outdoor back patio. Per available research, minimum spends vary — from around $500 for semi-private sections up to $2,000+ for weekend private room reservations — with no minimum required for certain semi-private reservations; confirm current terms with the venue.
Food & Drinks
Elevated bar snacks menu with charcuterie boards, caviar egg sandwiches, crudos, and skewers, plus a raw bar happy hour. The cocktail program covers signature craft cocktails and classics. Outside catering is allowed, but all beverage service must be handled in-house by the venue.
Group Size
Front Banquet suits intimate groups of roughly 15–30 (about 15 in cabaret seating, up to 30 standing). The Living Room handles parties up to 100. The Private Backroom fits up to 50 with its own bar and patio. Combining the Backroom and Living Room supports around 200 guests, and a full buyout accommodates up to 300 standing or 120 seated.
Good To Know
Up to 30 guests
|Private
|From $100/hr
A semi-private area at the front of the venue ideal for lounging and dancing near the main bar.
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Up to 100 guests
|Private
|From $375/hr
In front of the private backroom, a semi-private section for up to one hundred guests.
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Up to 100 guests
|Private
|From $375/hr
A versatile private room in the back with its own fully stocked bar and patio access.
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Up to 200 guests
|Private
|From $375/hr
A combined configuration pairing the Private Backroom with the Living Room for larger events.
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Up to 300 guests
|Private
|From $375/hr
Capture the entire veue which includes the private backroom, living room, and front banquet.
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Submit an inquiry to share your event details and receive relevant booking options.
Booking Policy
Free cancellations for 48 hours after booking, unless the booking is within 48 hours of the event.
Location
206 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009, USA
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